You will be creating a food web for a specific habitat somewhere on earth. You get to choose! Considering the number of choices, first start with a biome of interest, then select a specific area of the world within the biome.
The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region. Major biomes include deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and several types of aquatic environments. Each biome consists of many ecosystems whose communities have adapted to the small differences in climate and the environment inside the biome.
For example, if deserts interest you, you should select a specific desert. The "flora" & "fauna" in each desert will be specific to the climate and geographic location. Not all deserts have the same climate, precipitation and temperature, and therefore, different plants and animals may live there. The animals and plants of the Kalahari are quite different than those of the Sonoran or the Mojave; the Kalahari lion would not be found in the Sonoran or Mojave.
See the map below for a basic distribution of the world's major biomes.:
Your first step in the research process is to clearly define your task; identify which specific area you will focus on. Accuracy in your sources in critical!
The following links will help guide you through the project:
iConn.org:For magazine articles and reference info. the site for the CT State Digital Library will provide accurate & reliable information about the ecoystems & biomes. The middle school databases, Kids InfoBits, Discovering Collection & Science in Context, contain information about food webs and ecosystems.
*If you would like to access the site from home, you will need to have a current public library card available.
Brain Pop Video about Food Chains - excellent overview! - needs FLASH - will not play on iPad unless using Rover app
Workbook containing fact sheets, activities, and coloring pages to be used by school groups visiting in Burlington, CT. Includes a 4-page color insert of wildlife found at Sessions Woods. (44 pages)
You can find additional sites by using a search engine. Yippy is a good option since it organizes your search into specific categories helping you to manage the number of results you are sifting through. When using the iPad, click on the option for tablet in the settings before searching.
For keywords, use the name of your habitat, be specific, and the phrase food web or food chain. Using quotation marks around the name of your habitat, i.e. "Kalahari Desert" will also help limit the results. Be prepared for many results and carefully look through them to find sources that are accurate & reliable. Use the cloud categories on the left to help you limit the results.
You will be creating a food web for a specific habitat somewhere on earth. You get to choose! Considering the number of choices, first start with a biome of interest, then select a specific area of the world within the biome.
The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region. Major biomes include deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and several types of aquatic environments. Each biome consists of many ecosystems whose communities have adapted to the small differences in climate and the environment inside the biome.
For example, if deserts interest you, you should select a specific desert. The "flora" & "fauna" in each desert will be specific to the climate and geographic location. Not all deserts have the same climate, precipitation and temperature, and therefore, different plants and animals may live there. The animals and plants of the Kalahari are quite different than those of the Sonoran or the Mojave; the Kalahari lion would not be found in the Sonoran or Mojave.
See the map below for a basic distribution of the world's major biomes.:
Your first step in the research process is to clearly define your task; identify which specific area you will focus on. Accuracy in your sources in critical!
The following links will help guide you through the project:
iConn.org:For magazine articles and reference info. the site for the CT State Digital Library will provide accurate & reliable information about the ecoystems & biomes. The middle school databases, Kids InfoBits, Discovering Collection & Science in Context, contain information about food webs and ecosystems.
*If you would like to access the site from home, you will need to have a current public library card available.
Brain Pop Video about Food Chains - excellent overview! - needs FLASH - will not play on iPad unless using Rover app
Ecosystems
The Concept of an Ecosystem
Wild Animal Plant: World Ecosystems
Science Spot - Kidzone: Many links to additional sites about specific biomes
Field Guides: for use when you've identified some plants & animals, detailed information about each
Links to Information from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection:
Explore Connecticut's Wildlife
at Sessions Woods
Workbook containing fact sheets, activities, and coloring pages to be used by school groups visiting in Burlington, CT. Includes a 4-page color insert of wildlife found at Sessions Woods. (44 pages)You can find additional sites by using a search engine. Yippy is a good option since it organizes your search into specific categories helping you to manage the number of results you are sifting through. When using the iPad, click on the option for tablet in the settings before searching.